After a red wave election that handed South Carolina Republicans virtually unchecked power in all three branches of state government, the question for GOP leaders is clear: What do they plan to do with it?
And while no detailed policy proposals are yet available, Gov. Henry McMaster and GOP leaders in the Statehouse began laying out their top priorities in a series of post-election press conferences and statements this week — priorities that state Democrats acknowledge they’re powerless to block.
“There’s no system of checks or balances right now and that’s unfortunate,” former S.C. Democratic Party Chairman Trav Roberts told the City Paper. “Our system was designed to allow for majority rule while also protecting the minority, and that’s just gone.”
But conservative activists, led by the hard-right S.C. House Freedom Caucus, say Republicans have a duty to deliver on the mandate voters gave them.
“President Trump’s winning message, which is shared by the S.C. Freedom Caucus and voters alike, is to cut taxes, improve our infrastructure, decrease regulation and spending, shrink the size of government, protect individual rights and end the woke mind virus which has infected our institutions of higher learning and government schools,” Freedom Caucus members said in a social media post. “We challenge our colleagues in the now expanded super-majorities in both chambers to listen to the people, and lead boldly on these issues.”
The GOP agenda … so far
Though still a work in progress, the updated agenda sketched out by party leaders would represent a major step toward meeting those Freedom Caucus demands.
School vouchers: After seeing school voucher plans struck down twice in the S.C. Supreme Court, Republicans believe the new, more conservative court majority will be more open to the idea. The legislative sticking point in the coming session is likely to be eligibility. At issue: Income. The House GOP supports a voucher program that’s open to all parents regardless of income, while Senate Republicans favor one that’s at least initially aimed at families in poverty.
More income tax cuts: Under current law, S.C. is set to continue to cut its top income tax rate in 0.1% increments over the next two years — from 6.2% to 6.0%. But in a Nov. 6 letter to members, House Republican leaders said it was time for S.C. to go much further — specifically to “reduce our income tax rate to below that of our neighbors.” For perspective, Georgia’s flat income tax rate is 5.49% and North Carolina’s is 4.5%; Tennessee and Florida have no income tax.
Infrastructure: With the fourth-largest state road system in the country at 41,500 miles, and more than 25% of its 8,000 bridges considered to be in poor condition, South Carolina would be facing a major infrastructure challenge even if it weren’t also the fastest-growing state in the country. Earlier this year, the legislature passed an additional $200 million for bridge repairs and another $300 million for road repairs and improvements. After Tuesday’s elections, McMaster and legislative leaders are promising more in 2025.
Liquor liability reform: With bars and restaurants across the state continuing to close due to sky-high liquor liability insurance premiums, the state legislature failed to deliver on its promise to cut rates earlier this year when a Senate lawsuit reform bill went down to defeat in the final weeks of the session. But continuing strong opposition from S.C. Mothers Against Drunk Driving and other victims’ advocacy organizations means promised efforts to revive the bill next year will face significant obstacles in both chambers.
DEI: Long-targeted by conservative opponents of what the S.C. Freedom Caucus called “the woke mind virus” in its post-election statement, “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” (DEI) initiatives at state colleges and universities will face new scrutiny next year, according to Statehouse GOP leaders. A bill banning DEI considerations in hiring, firing and promotions died without a vote in the Senate last year after passing the House with overwhelming Republican support.
Abortion: Though unmentioned thus far by McMaster or Statehouse GOP leaders, several current and newly-elected Republican legislators are expected to push for a complete ban on abortion in the state of South Carolina, which currently outlaws the procedure after six weeks. In addition, legislators could look at new laws cracking down on mail delivery of abortion medications, as well as travel across state lines for the procedure.
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